Workmen's advocate., 1887-04-02
THE w HITE CROSS. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE
 Y. M. C. A.
C0mradc Seller Attends a Meeting of the '. M. (. A.-Futile Efforts. Causes. Not Effects, Should
 Be mbatted-Rank
 Soci al ism.

Since Comrade Seller has made Bridgeport his dwelling place, social and political economy has been dis cussed more than ever before, and the fallacles of our present system have been exposed to such an extent that there is nothing restful now in Bridgeport politics. But our friend does not contine himself to labor mcetings-thc Y. NJ. C. A. affords a field for agitation, and the follow ing letter in the Bridgeport poSf, though addressed to the local '. NJ. C. A., contains sufficient for all kindred well-meaning socleties in the land. He says:
 GENTLEMEN: l was deeply impressed with the earnestness of the speakers al the meeting of the White Cross Society held last Sunday under your auspices, yet am fully convinced of the futility of their well-meant efforts.
 While all the speakers dwelt on the pernicious effects caused by sexual ex- cesses. not one referred to the daplorable causes. Was this ignorance or moral cowardice? hope the former.
 The causes underlying the social vices | exposed by the Pail Mall GaseHe are of an economic nature All the prayers offered by devout souls for their fallen sisters and brothers, all the Amen, bless the Lords" with which the good old deacon cnlivened Sundays proceedings will not cure this moral leprosy U less | the root is attacked.
 What are the causes of sexual vices i. Matrimonial bonds contracted on a commercial basis rather than on mutual affection and respect. Mother nature is stern and memorable in her demands,
 }, Reluctance of workingmen and wo- men to marry at the proper age for fear of being unable to support family on their scanty earnings
 3. Work, when there is any, in badly ventilated rooms for long hours at mo notonous occupations. Worry when there is no work for the means of exis- tence. Crowded life in tenement houses. Adulterated food.
 4. Lack of out door life, of public baths and free gymnasiums, and above all lack of time to enjoy them.
 ]. The hurried life of our business community time for taking proper nourishment, no time to masticate the food, continued anxiety for the morrow, ever in haste after the almighty dollar. All this brings on nervous prostration, which in time produces a predisposition for all forms of intemperance.
 In short, the competitive system with it's aIl-pervading spirit of ''eyerybody for himself and the devil take the hind most"
 Our modern civilization with it's men tai and physical exhaustion of man and womanhood at the shrine of Mammon has not proved a success. It is directly responsible for the evils which the White Cross Society hopes to conquer and a thousand others. Then why not join our forces with those already organized Instead of trying to patch up worth less dilapidated structure let Us do our mite towards laying the foundation of a new and better one-a structure based on justice and humanity, where fraternal cooperation shall take the place of frat ricldal competition. This society will make love- not interest, the standard of matrimonial life; mutualism, not selfish, ness, the standard of political, and hon est acts and honest deeds, not Conven tional lies, the bases of social life.
 A government of, for and by the peo pie. should secure to every willing pro ducer an opportunity to labor moderately amid wholesome surroundings. It must guarantee to its pillars, the toilins masses. the undivided fruit of their toi (which under competitive system they are compelled to divide with the drOnes)
 But this would be paternal govern ment. Rank Socialism Call 1t wha you will Bywords no longer frighter the thoughtful. Members of the \. NJ C. A, will you be trimmers or re formers! $. SELLER.